ANIMAL ASSISTED INTERVENTION

A goal-directed intervention is designed to promote improvement in physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained animal-handler team is an integral part. AAI (Animal Assisted Intervention) is directed and/or delivered by a practitioner with specialized expertise and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated. The fields of Animal Assisted Education (AAE) and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) cover these types of Animal Assisted Interventions. An intervention can also be less goal-directed, more casual or spontaneous. This type of intervention is designed to promote a range of other than therapeutic or educational benefits and to enhance the quality of life. The field of Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) covers this type of Animal Assisted Interventions. An Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) may be provided in a variety of settings, may be group or individual in nature and may be implemented for persons of any age.

Animal Assisted Therapy
An AAT intervention is formally goal-directed and designed to promote improvement in physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained animal-¬handler team is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy) is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. AAT may be provided in a variety of settings, may be group or individual in nature and may be implemented for persons of any age. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated.

Animal Assisted Education
An AAE intervention is formally goal-directed and designed to promote improvement in cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained animal-handler team is an integral part of the educational process. AAE (Animal Assisted Education) is directed and/or delivered by an educational professional with specialized expertise and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. AAE may be provided in a variety of settings, may be group or individual in nature and may be implemented for persons of any age. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated.

Animal Assisted Activity
An AAA intervention is less goal-directed as specific objectives may not be planned. AAA (Animal Assisted Activity) is provided in a variety of settings, may be group or individual in nature and may be implemented for persons of any age. The AAA practitioners and/or animal handlers all are specially trained by an organization and meet the minimum standards set forth by AAII. Teams who provide AAA may also participate in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) or Animal Assisted Education (AAE) when the team is working directly with a healthcare, human service provider or with an educational practitioner.

Animal Support
AS (Animal Support) is not an intervention but is a support given by professional organizations that train animals and their handlers (examples: members of Assistance Dogs Europe, Assistance Dogs International, etc.). These organizations train animals to work alongside healthcare, social service, religious affiliations, or educational practitioners. In this way they participate in Animal Assisted Interventions.